Demolition bomb



June 21, 1932. o. A. ROSS 1,863,766

DEMOLITION BOMB Filed NOV. 15 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR o. A. ROSS DEMOLITION BOMB Jun 21, 1932.

2 Sheets-Sh et 2 Filed Nov. 15, 1927 u N vEQNTo I! l lgrll Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OSCAR-A. ROSS, or NEW YORK, N. Y.

DEMOLITION BOMB Application filed November 15, 1927. Serial No. 233,484.

have a most devastating effect at approxi-- mately 20 feet, or 6 meters, above the terrain. It is the object of this invention to furnish means whereby demolition bombs may be positively fired at a substantially fixed distance above the terrain, or other object upon which the bomb may strike, irrespective o the height from which the bomb may be dropped by a bombing plane.

Another object is to explode a demolition bomb a fixed distance above the terrain by suspending therefrom a smaller detonating bomb which when exploded acts on an air impact-detonator thereby causing explosion of the demolition bomb at substantially 20 feet above the striking point of said minor, or detonating bomb.

Another object is to explode a demolition bomb a fixed distance above the terrain by suspending therefrom a shell which when exploded will cause shrapnel or other shot to be directed against the detonator of the demolition bomb and whereby it is caused to explode at a predetermined distance above the p terrain, or object of destruction.

Another object is to explode a demolition bomb a fixeddistance above the terrain by suspending therefrom a weight in such amanner that during flight of the bomb the weight prevents a mechanism from actuating the detonator until said weight has impinged upon the terrain, whereafter and while the demolition bomb is in flight said mechanism is caused to act on said detonator and cause exploslon of said demolition bomb at a pre-' determined distance above said terrain, or

other object of destruction.

Another object is to explode a demolition bomb a fixed distance above the terrain by employing a telescoping detonator which is normally telescoped-within the bomb, but which may be extended during flight of the bomb to a length whereby, and as the lower end of the detonator impinges upon the terrain, said bomb is exploded at a predetermined distance above said terrain, or other object of destruction.

Another object is to explode a demolition bomb a fixed distance above the terrain by suspending therefrom an electric circuit closer, which when contact is made with the terrain will establish an electric circuit to and within the demolition bomb in this manner causing its explosion at substantially a fixed distance above the terrain.

Another object is to explode a demolition f bomb a fixed distance above the terrain by suspending therefrom a detonator which, when impinged upon the terrain will ignite a quick burning fuse communicating to the demolition bomb and whereby said bomb will be exploded a predetermined distance above the terrain or object of destruction.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the invention progresses and the features of the invention ,will be pointed out in the appended claims.

This invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in that portion of the instrument wherein patentable novelty is claimed for certain and eculiar features of the device, it being understood that, within the scope of what hereinafter is claimed, divers changes in the form, proportions, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departin from the spirit of the invention, or sacrificmg any of its details. 35

In describing the invention in detail, reference is bad to the accompanying drawings, where I have illustrated embodiments of the invention, and wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one form of demolition bomb and detonator and is taken on line A-A of Fig. 2, and, Fig. 2 is top View of the same taken on line B-B of Fig. .1, and Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a modified bomb and detonator taken on line 0-0 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 4 is a top view of the same taken on line DD of Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of another modified bomb and detonator is taken on line EE of Fig. 6, and Fig. 6 is a top view of the same taken on line FF of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a bottom view of the same taken on line GG of Fig. 5, and Fig. 8 is a sectional view of a modified bomb and telescopingvdetonator, and Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a modified bomb and detonator therefor, and Fig. 10 is a side elevational view of another bomb and detonator' bomb 1, the shell 2, explosive contents 3 and varies 4 of which may be of usual form, is retarded in its flight by a parachute 5, (Fig. 10)., secured by flexible members 6-6 passing through orifices 77 of vanes 44. Detonator 8 internally of bomb 1 is of usual form, however externally has been modified to include a mushroom, or plate member 9,

the edge 10 of which is normally locked by 'latchll of dogs 1212 hinged on pins -13 13 secured in lugs 1414 forming part of shell 2. Latches 11-11 are restrained to non-locking position by springs 15 -15 as shown in Fig. 1, however said latches may be restrained into locking position against the pressure of springs by depressing said latches inwardly and inserting a 'pin, or dowel in hole 16 of lug 17. When restrained into locking position said latches serve to prevent accidental movement of detonator 8 which mi ht cause premature explosion of bomb 1; S aid latches are normally restrained to locking position on edge 10 and are only released just before a bomb is dropped from the airplane. Secured to eye 18 of detonator plate 9, is flexible member 19, at the lower end of which is a substantially small bomb 20 having detonator 21, said bomb being proportioned whereby, and when exploded, the impact of the explosive contents will act to force plate 9 and detonator 8 upwardly thereby exploding demolition bomb 1. Bombs 1 and 20 are assumed to be in flight and the distance between bombs 1 and 20 is proportionedwhereby and when bomb contacts with the terrain and is exploded, demolition bomb 1' will be substantially 20 feet above said terrain, in other words will I be exploded substantially 20 feet above said terrain or other object of destruction. Detpreferably made of a light alloy metal to reduce its inertia factor.

Ther parachute 5, is preferably proportioned whereby bomb 20 will tend to produce a tension on flexible member 19 during flight.

Referring to Figs. 3 and-4, showing a modmeans for exploding a demolition bomb,

as 1, while in flight, the detonator 8, is modified to include a plate or mushroom 22. Suitably secured to bomb 1 are upper ends of flexible members 2323 at the lower ends of which is suitably secured mortor, or shell 24 having detonator 25 adapted to explode said plode said demolition bomb, said bomb will be substantially 20 feet-above said terrain, or other object of destruction.

Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, showin another modified means for exploding a emolition bomb, as 1, while in flight, the shell 30 has been modified to include lugs 31,31 sup- I porting hinge pin 32, on which pivots one end of detonating lever 33,- to the other end of which issecured the upper end of flexible member 34, at the lower end of which is suitably secured weight 35. When stored in a rack (see Fig. 13) lever 33 lies to the side of detonator 8 and is restrained thereagainst by spring 36. Furthermore, spring 37 restrains said lever to the dotted position shown, this combined action tending to prevent premature movement of detonator 8. When a bomb, as 1, is tobe dropped, the weight 35 is first lowered, (see Fig. 13) and then said bomb is discharged from its rack. As said bomb moves to its flight axis as shown in Fig. 5, weight 35 overpowers spring 37 and lever 33 moves to the full line position shown,

spring 36 acting to restrain said lever against stop 38 of eye lug 39. Lever 33 is now directly under detonator 8, and when, and as weight 35 contacts with the terrain and relieves the tension on flexible member 34, ,spring 37 acts to restrain lever 33 upwardly, and, as detonator 8 is in the path thereof, sald detonatoi' will also be raised and bomb 1 will be exploded. The length of flexible member 34 is preferably such that when weight 35 contacts with the terrain and explodes bomb 1, said bomb will be substantially 20 feet above said terrain, or other object of destruction. A

Referring to Fig. 8, the shell 42, of bomb 1, has been modified to include telescoping unit 43. comprising lower sleeve 44 and upper sleeve 45. Secured in upper sleeve 45 are removable percussion cap plugs 46- 46 having caps 47-47 adapted to be fired by detonators the airplane. Said flexible member is of sufj fieient length whereby and as the demolition bomb is discharged from its rack, said bomb will assume normal flight, namely the bomb will be moving in a plane normal to the axis of telescoping section 43, before flexible member 56 is tensioned to cause disengagement of latch 51 from notch 52. Assuming said bomb has just been dropped and the tensioning of flexible member 56 has withdrawn latch 51 from notch 52, the telescoping sections 49 and will be restrained downward by springs 57 and 58, to the position shown, the spring lugs 5959 acting to prevent any upward movement of section 50, and as impact prongs 53-53 impinge upon the terrain, all the telescoping sections as 49 and 50 come to rest, and, as bomb 1 continues its downward movement flange 60 of section 49 restrains detonators 48'-48 upwardly whereby firing pins 6161 strike percussion caps and cause explosion of said bomb. For the purpose of more clearly showing the various parts in relation to each other the shell 42 and telescoping unit 43 have been shown as comparatively foreshortened in their axial plane. It is to be understood that shell 42 may be made of an axial length whereby three or. ,four telescoping sections will, when extended provide a detonator mechanism substantially 20 or more feet in length whereby a demolition bomb, as 1, may be exploded at substantially 20 feet above the terrain, or other object of destruction. The flexible member 56 may have both ends rigidly secured whereby it is ruptured, or one, or both ends may be frictionally secured whereby either one or both ends will be torn from their fastening after latch 51 has disengaged from notch 52.

Referring to Figs. 9 and 11, showing an other modified means for exploding a demolition bomb while in flight. shell 65 of bomb 1 has been modified to include firing unit 66 comprising housing 67 containing magnet 68 adapted to actuate armature 69 supporting firing pin '70 arranged to strike percussion cap 71, communicating to explosive charge 3. Armature 69 is normally restrained away from cap 71 by spring 72. Detonatingunit 73, comprising shell or housing 74, detonator switch 75 and batteries 7676. is connected to firing unit 66 by an electrical cable 77 comprising wires 78 and 79. As su ning bomb 1 and detonating unit 73 to be in downward flight, when detonator 75 impinges upon the terrain, switch points 80 and 81 are brought together whereby an electrical circuit is established from batteries 76, wire 78, magnet 68, wire 79, switch points 80 and 81, and .wire 82 to batteries 76-7 6. As this circuit is established, armature 69 is rapidly moved upwardly causing firing pin 7 O to strike and fire percussion cap 71 in this manner exploding demolition bomb 1. The cable 77 is preferably of a length whereby and after percussion cap 71 has been fired bomb 1 will be exploded substantially 2O feet'above the terrain or other object of destruction. As a precautionary measure a manually operated switch not shown but supported by unit 66, may be included in the heretofore described circuit, said switch to be normally open and closed by a flexible cable after a bomb has been dropped much in the same manner as.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 12, showing another modified means for exploding a demolition bomb during flight, shell 85 'of bomb 1 has been modified to include sleeve 86 suitably secured in which is one end of fuse 87, the other end terminating in and-suitably secured to detonating unit 88 comprising shell 89 having detonator 90 adapted to strike percussion cap 91 into wl -'ch the core 92 of fuse 87 terminates. As shown in Figs. 10 and 12, the bomb 1 and detonator unit 88 are assumed to be in flight and as detonator 90 impinges upon the terrain the continued downward movement of shell 89 and depending parts causes the firing pin 93 to strike percussion cap 91 igniting core 92 which is preferably an ultra-rapid burning explosive, in this manner causing explosion of demolition bomb 1 substantially simultaneously with striking of percussion cap 91, the fire passing from said cap, through fuse 87 to igniting core 94 passing through the explosive3within shell 85. The length of fuse 87, is preferably proportioned whereby and as bomb 1 is exploded after detonator 90 impinges upon the terrain, said bomb will be substantially 20 feet above said terrain, or other object of destruction.

Figure 13, shows a bomb supporting rack 95 ordinarily forming part of a bombing airplane and which has been modified by adding shelf or receptacle 96 in which may be placed any one of the detonating units as 20, 24, 35, 7 3 or 88 together with their members, as 19, 23, 34. 77, or 87.

If desired the various bombs 1 may be below during the terrain or other objects.

ing supporting an explosive charge therein, a detonator member supported thereby arranged to effect an explosion of the charge, an impact member arranged to explode the detonator by impact ofan elastic fluid there- 'against, a primary bomb supporting an ex contact of the terrain whereby the expandlng gases resulting from the primary explosion will cause the impact member of the demolition bomb to explode .the detonat'or member thereof.

2. A weapon of destruction arranged to be released from airplanes comprising; a dem-,

olition bomb having a detonating mechanism arranged to explode an explosive charge therein, a detonating bomb havin a detonating mechanism arranged to expl ode an explosive charge therein upon contact with the terrain or other object, means supported by the demolition bomb for supporting the detonation bomb a predetermined distance theredownward flight of the weapon, and means associated with the detonation mechanism of the demolition bomb afiected by movement of elastic fluid produced by bomb arra" god to effect operation thereof to explode the charge therein upon explosion of the charge of the detonation bomb whereby the demolition bomb charge willbe exploded a predetermined distance above the terrain.

3. A weaponof destruction comprising, a demolition bomb"having a detonation mechanism arranged'to efl'ect explosion of an ex plosive 'charge therein for destructive purposes, a detonation bomb supported a predetermined distance below the demolition bomb during the downward flight of the weapon, the detonation bomb having a detonation mechanism arranged to effect explosion of an explosive charge therein upon contact with the terrain or other objects, and means associated with the demolition bomb detonating mechanism afi'ected by abrupt change in gas pressure arranged to efl'ect operation of the demolition bomb mechanism upon the abrupt change in gas pressure exterior to the bombs due to the explosion of the detonation bomb upon contacting with the 4. A weapon of destruction comprising, a demolition bomb carrying a destructive'explosive charge, detonation mechanism asso-' ciated therewith arranged to explode the charge, a detonation bomb carrying a highly rapid explosive charge supported a predetermined distance below the detonation bomb during the downward flight of the'weapon,

- the bomb having detonation mechanism arranged to explode the rapidly explosive the explosion of the detonation charge upon contact with the terrain or other objects, and means associated with the. detonation mechanism of the demolition bomb affected by abrupt variation in gas pressurearranged to e fl'ect operation thereof to effect explosion of the destructive explosive charge due to change of gas pressure produced by the explosion of the detonation boinb upon contact therewith with the terrain or other object. Signed at New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 28th day of October, A. D. 1927.. OSCAR A. ROSS. 

